Today, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry opened the Global Academy, a school focused on media and entertainment industry preparation, which builds mental health awareness and support into its curriculum. Thus, it fit in well with this week’s theme – all Heads Together everything.
The three learned about how the school attempts to incorporate mental well-being into its courses for a variety of ages, and to present it not always a serious or problematic situation, but rather a positive and normal aspect of day-to-day-life.
Kate spoke with one of the co-creators of an app called Mush, which aims to connect new mothers seeking support and companionship. After hearing that the woman had felt in need of friends in those early days of caring for her young children, Kate said:
“It is lonely at times. You do feel quite isolated. But actually so many other mothers are going through exactly what you’re going through. But it’s being brave enough, like you obviously were, to reach out.”
One interaction she shared with a student was widely-reported by the media:
Student: “I’ve not really had a problem I’ve needed to talk to someone about, but meeting you is a new thing. I don’t really know how to speak to someone so high. I’m quite shy.”
Kate: “I’m shy as well, so don’t worry.”
The student later told reporters, “That was just fantastic. It has really boosted my confidence. I had no idea what to say at first but she really put me at ease.”
One choice quotes from William:
‘The strongest guys are the ones who can talk about it. The weak guys are the ones who bottle it away and it makes their lives spiral completely out of control. And it ruins their lives eventually. You waste a lot of your life worrying and stressing about stuff that frankly, if you have a conversation and talk to somebody it will make everything much better.”
Online I’ve seen this criticized as some sort of swipe at Harry, albeit without ill-intention, but I have to say, I didn’t read it that way at all. Particularly given that Harry just disclosed having sought support for the past however many years. I saw this more as a reflection of his work in male suicide prevention, which he spoke about candidly in his CALMZone interview.
According to the Express:
The Duke had also been given the chance to listen to speeches by his ancestors, including George VI’s message to the empire on September 3, 1939, following Neville Chamberlain’s declaration that Britain was at war with Germany.
He also heard his grandmother, the then Princess Elizabeth’s first public broadcast, to the evacuated children of the blitz on October 13, 1940, when she was just 14.
Harry, meanwhile, was given a science lesson with pupils aged 14 to 16, learning about sound waves and asking them if their “mates were jealous” they went to the specialist school.
The royal trio also met with students working in the Global studios on shows for Heart FM and LBC, asking them about the opportunities at the new school and the practical skills they were learning.
A video captured by reporter Rebecca English:
Video: Kate chats to Global Academy students who have been preparing packages on mental health and well being #headstogether pic.twitter.com/YxU7xo2LRe
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) April 20, 2017
And another from English of the trio leaving:
Video: William, Kate and Harry leave the Global Academy #headstogether pic.twitter.com/l3hk7QiT83
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) April 20, 2017
Kate was wearing a new red skirt suit (red is apparently her color du jour this year) by Armani. She’s no stranger to the label – at least one item that springs to mind is a red coat she’s had in closet for well over a decade. Back in December 2006 she attended William’s passing out ceremony from Sandhurst with her parents. She’s subsequently repeated the coat at least once since her marriage, when pregnant with Prince George.
She paired the suit with Rupert Sanderson nude heels and a clutch by Etu Bags. I thought she looked great today. Red is a good color on the Duchess. The suit was flattering and while I know many are bored of the nude heels, I liked them with this particular look. I declare it a win.We’ll next see all three on Sunday when they attend the London marathon and cheer on the Heads Together team.